Day 11 - Downton Abbey concert at Highclere Castle

This turned out to be quite possibly our favorite thing so far!

It was unexpectedly classy and romantic.

It was the London Chamber Orchestra playing songs from the show

Downton Abbey, hosted by Jim Carter

who plays Carson on the show.

Before the performance, there were vintage cars and stations 

set up to sell classic gin drinks and food. 20's music was 

playing and some people were dressed in period costume.

The WEATHER.WAS.PERFECT!!!!

Which is saying something in England.

People had flown from all over the world for this event,

so it was wonderful that the weather was, as the British say, brilliant.

The grounds were absolutely GORGEOUS

While waiting in line for drinks, we met a young American couple and chatted

with them for the hour long wait - and felt like we were there with friends!  We had a lot

in common and so we exchanged instagram accounts and 

have been in touch several times since then, sharing 

travel experiences.

We also met a local farmer who owned the farm next to  

Highclere, and Danny chatted away with him for an hour in a different line.

But what a blessing.

He was a simple, hard-working, humble farmer who

was happy to share his experiences during the filming

of the show, and just life in the country being the milk deliverer to the

castle inhabitants.

Danny was waiting in line to get us our dinner - fish and chips -

and this quiet, uncomplaining soul waited all this time

only to get there and order an order of fries.

That was it.  He pulled out a worn change purse

and paid for his fries and was so happy and content.

We actually ordered some Gin cocktails (Danny ordered His Lordship and I ordered

Her Ladyship haha) and Danny absolutely fell in love with gin.

Before this, he would say he didn't like it.

But the British love their gin and tonic, and apparently we were

served some very smooth, high-end gin.

Jim Carter on stage

I must say that one of the highlights for me was that we

ended up sitting directly behind JULIAN FELLOWES -

the WRITER AND CREATOR of  DOWNTON ABBEY!!!

Apparently his wife is some kind of royalty,

and used to be a lady-in-waiting for Princess Margaret.

I watched his face and his reactions and laughs and smiles

as the program went on - it was a unique

perspective that nobody else had.

People were coming to get his autograph, but we didn't

want to bother him.

These are some of the souvenirs we bought!!! 

See that bottle of Highclere Castle Gin????? haha